Kathleen L. Rydquist

Kathleen L. Rydquist (nee Schneider), age 83 formerly of Fox Lake, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Kathy was born on August 5, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois and was the daughter of Fred and Golda Schneider. She attended school in Crystal Lake, Illinois, graduating in 1961.

On July 21,1962 Kathy married her lifelong best friend, Harry Rydquist at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. They shared 47 years together until Harry’s passing in 2009. They owned and operated the Postville Store in Postville, Wisconsin in the early 1970’s. They moved to Fox Lake in 1977 and operated Kuno Point Resort for about 20 years.

They fulfilled their best dream by becoming the parents of two sons and two daughters of whom they were extremely proud. Kathy was blessed to be one of four siblings with whom she was very close. She was elated to have such incredible brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed many friendships through the years, especially Roland Moll of Beaver Dam, Mary Perkins of Fox Lake and Tim and Sandy Meekma of Fox Lake.

After managing the family businesses and as the kids became more self-sufficient, Kathy decided to take a job at Pierce’s Supermarket through the 1980’s.

Kathy loved living on Fox Lake and was very involved with many organizations and committees during her nearly 50-year residency, often times, as a founding member or a board member. Notably, Fox Lake Property Owners, Southern Gateway, Dodge County Tourism Council, Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce, Fox Lake Library Board, and SAGES. She was involved with the formation of the Inland Lake District in the late 1970s. Interestingly, in the 1990s, she went full-circle when she accepted a part-time office assistant position that evolved into a full-time career as their Coordinator. She retired in 2018. Kathy had a deep love of Country and remained politically astute until her finale.

Kathy is survived by her children; Ann Hennigan, Aurora, MO, Timothy (Karen)Rydquist, Woodstock, GA, Andrew (Karyn)Rydquist, Boiling Springs, NC and Kathryn (Michael) Mertz, Beaver Dam, WI; grandchildren; Kurtis (Shannon) Klingbeil IV, Bryan (special friend Allie) Klingbeil, Grace (Brandi) Salazar, Ashley (special friend Brett) Salazar, Mary (special friend Kolten) Hennigan, Alexa (Doug) Bailey, Caitlin (special friend Scott) Gallagher, Stephanie Gallagher, Nathan (Katie) Mertz, Danielle (Rydquist) Breslow and Cory Rydquist; great-grandchildren; Alexa, Kurtis V, and Jaxson Klingbeil, Marcella and Sullivan Guenther, Reese Kneeland, Jack and Jemma Brooks, Phoenix Mertz, and Aiden Elliot; extended family, Kathy Schneider, Robert and Richard Rydquist, Mary Metzger, Marcia Rydquist, Patricia Hanson, Margaret (Greg) Heideman, Darcy Rydquist and David (Martha) Rydquist.

Kathy is preceded in death by her husband Harry Rydquist, parents Fred and Golda Schneider, stepfather Frank Schaumburg, father-in-law Ralph Rydquist, mother-in-law Mary Rydquist, sister Pat Kofsky, brothers Fred and John Schneider, extended family Ray Metzger, James Rydquist, Paul Hanson, Daniel Rydquist, Anthony Klingbeil, Steven Metzger and Baby Rydquist.

A Celebration of Life Service for Kathy will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Cornerstone Funeral and Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd, Beaver Dam with Deacon Doug Bailey officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:00 am until the time of the Service at 1:00 pm. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Fox Lake with a luncheon to follow. Memorials in Kathy's name may be directed to Wounded Warriors and the American Heart Association.